The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-12
WASHINGTON LETTER
tFrom our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON. u. Wv August >, 1857.
Secretary Fairchild has issued a cir.
oular inviting proposals for the sale Of
large amount of 4 per cent. United
States bonds and A per cent. bonds and
also Pacific railroad bonds, with a re.
bate of 2 per cent. per annum on the
amount prepaid. Explanatory Of this
action Secretary Fairchild says he
thought it the best thing he could do
under the Giro umstances--h purchase
of bonds being for the purpose of pro-
viding for the sinking funds and the
anticipation of interest is for the pur-
pose of removing the surplus. The ir-
terest referred TO ip the order amounts
to $22,310,7S4 and the sinking fund to
about $26,O00,000, added to the $780,
600, 900 of 8 per cent. bonds previously
applied to that fund. The Secretary
says that the surplus can only be dis
posed of through the cooperation of
the bondholders, and that if they do
not accept the terms of his offer to
them it would appear that they are not
greatly in need of money.
The Controller Of the Currency has
given notice to the national banks re-
quiriug them to submit to him full
statement of their affairs at the close
of business August lst--in default of
which they will be fined and the sums
paid INTO the United States Treasury
the purpose being to see whether these
institutions have their finances in prop
er shape to meet any requirements
necessary in handling this years crops.
During the month of July 1876
names were added to the pension rolls
by the Democratic Administration,
which, according to Republican parti.
sans, has nothing but hatred and hos
tility to the Union Veterans.
The pension which was put through
by Forger Harvey, as Attorney for a
widow, turns, out, upon closer investi.
cation to be fraud-and thus nearly
$4,000 was, at the last moment saved
to the government. The Pension Of
fee offers a great field for fraudulent
manipulations, but, the evil-doers al.
most invariably come to grief two
men have jpst been arrested in West
Virginia on charge of forgery in con-
nection with pension case
Public Printer Benedict's reply to
the New York Zribune's charge that
he Disseminated against Union soldiers
in making appointments or dismissals
is clear and convincing to the last de-
gree, showing, as it does, that Mr..
Benedict is true and careful guardian
of the interests of the soldiers, for, ac-
cording to an actual census of the Of
fee, taken by him, about one half of
its employees are either Union Vet
Grams or their widows and children
all of whom are protected in their po
sitions by special Statute, but, which
the present Printers Republican pre-
decessors ignored when il applied to
Democratic Union oldiers-example
that might we'll warrant retaliations in
kind on his part-still, he has not done
so, but, impartially given, to all whom
it is due, the benefits of this class legis.
lation. MIR. Benedict has increased
the working capacity of the establish
ment, although compelled to reduce
the force, and has won the lasting
gratitude of all the employees by pay
ing semi-monthly, instead of monthly,
as was the rule under the Republican
regime.
Secretary Lamar's request that the
heads of bureaus of the Interior De-
partment present their annual reports
much earlier than heretofore strongly
tends to confirm the general impress.
ion that he will soon be transferred to
the Supreme Bench. Mr.. Lamar would
adorn that lofty tribunal as few men
in America could, for, in addition to
being the first among Southern States
men and jurists, his mind is cast in
judicial mould. President Cleveland
says of him, that of all the men he has
ever met, he believes Secretary Lamar
to possess the clearest and most pro-
found intellect.
About twenty patent Attorneys of
Washington who were the benefciar-
les of Bacon's generosity with the pub.
lie funds have been notified that unless
they Immediately refund the sums bor-
rowed--some S5,0O0-it will be con-
sidered cause tor disbarring them from
practice before the Interior Depart
ment the bondsmen of the late finan-
cial clerk have signifed their willing
ness to pay his defalcation when it, is
certified to properly.
The chief topic of local interest is
the trial of naval surgeon Crawford for
leading astray schoolgirl of thirteen
and Madam Grundy is expecting sen.
sational developments. The Judge
has decided an important and interest
ing legal point--that the case can be
tried under the Edmonds Utah law
the first of the kind on record here. l
think conviction rather doubtful, for
the reason that one of the Governments
principal witnesses have been spirited
away, the little correspondent is in
New York, hut process has been issued
for her.
Mrs. Cleveland is gleefully disport-
ing herself in the foamy waves of Buz.
yards Bay on the coast of New Eug-
land. The other day in the little vii
lage Of Marion, where she stops, it was
noised abroad that Mrs. Cleveland was
going to take plunge in the surf, but,
when she appeared on the beach 2O00
people were assembled to see the sight,
yet | need hardly say they were dis
appointed.
The Western Drought.